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Fayette County adopts updated water-restrictions ordinance, board debates violation reset period
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Summary
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners on April 11 adopted Ordinance 2024-02 to align local water-use restrictions with a Metro Water District model, adding prohibitions on water-wasting activities and flash-drought language; commissioners discussed fairness of violation timing and the ordinance passed 5-0.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The Fayette County Board of Commissioners on April 11 adopted Ordinance 2024-02, updating County Code Chapter 28 (Utilities) Article III to establish water-use restrictions tied to drought indicators. The board approved the ordinance by a 5-0 vote.
Water System Director Vanessa Tigert told the board the measure "would adopt the model ordinance outlined and established by the Metro Water District" and said the update adds language covering water-wasting activities and "flash drought" requirements. Tigert described the ordinance as "the backbone to the County’s drought contingency plan." The ordinance will use Environmental Protection Division (EPD) drought-condition indicators — precipitation, stream flow and other measures — evaluated at county reservoirs to determine drought levels, she said.
Commissioners pressed county staff on enforcement and how repeat violations are counted. Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons asked whether a resident who was out of town and unaware of an initial problem could be cited multiple times. Tigert said notices of violation are hand-delivered. County Administrator Steve Rapson said the process would be implemented with "a commonsense approach" and that violators would receive written warnings and time to fix issues before citations are issued.
County Attorney Dennis A. Davenport noted the model ordinance language was broad and that the county had added a 12-month reset period to make enforcement more objective. He said, however, that the ordinance language as drafted allows a second citation "inside that 12-month reset period." Davenport suggested the Board could shorten the reset period to six or three months if it preferred.
Tigert confirmed the initial enforcement step is education: "the first violation was a written warning with no fee," and staff emphasized outreach to encourage compliance rather than immediate fines.
Chairman Lee Hearn called for a motion; Commissioner Charles Oddo moved to approve Ordinance 2024-02 and Hearn seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
The ordinance adopts Metro Water District model provisions and sets procedural details for notices and enforcement. The county may revise the reset-period language in future amendments if the Board directs staff to do so.